Columbia University

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Lee C Bollinger
Columbia University
Office of the President
202 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
212-854-9970
bollinger@columbia.edu
Website: http://www.columbia.edu

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Do you have any information, updates, or changes regarding the policies at this institution? Let us know!

On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Health Services: Relationship and Sexual Violence- Sexual Harassment 11-12

Hostile environment: * Repeated unwanted behavior * Offensive conduct or comments
Sexual Harassment is any unwanted sexual attention; it: Can be intentional or unintentional.
View full policy (PDF, 750 KB).

Essential Policies for the Columbia Community: Gender-Based Misconduct Policies for Students 11-12

Examples of gender-based misconduct: ... belittling remarks about a person’s gender or sexual orientation; inappropriate sexual innuendoes or humor; ... use of email, the Internet, or other forms of digital media to facilitate any of the above referenced behaviors
View full policy (PDF, 5002 KB).

Equal Educational Opportunity and Student Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment 11-12

Discriminatory harassment is defined as substantially interfering with an individual's educational experience by subjecting him or her to severe or threatening conduct or to repeated humiliating or abusive conduct, based on his or her membership in a protected class.
View full policy (PDF, 279 KB).

Equal Educational Opportunity and Student Nondiscrimination Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment 11-12

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: ...
such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, demeaning, or offensive academic or living environment.
View full policy (PDF, 279 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Computing, Network, and Information Policies: Email Usage and Retention Policy 11-12

Nuisance email or other online messages such as chain letters or obscene, harassing,
offensive or other unwelcome messages are prohibited. Such email should be reported to
the departmental system administrator or CUIT help desk immediately.
Unsolicited e-mail messages to multiple users are prohibited unless explicitly approved by the appropriate University authority.
View full policy (PDF, 1516 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Community Support: Responding to Acts of Bias and Hate 11-12

Hate crimes/bias-related incidents involve behavior that is motivated by hostility to race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, age, or disability. We understand the deep pain and consequence hate crimes/ bias-related actions have on our entire community. Any behavior motivated by hate will not be tolerated. CC/SEAS students involved in perpetrating a hate crime/ bias incident will be subject to an educational and/or disciplinary process determined by Judicial Affairs.
View full policy (PDF, 1645 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Rules of University Conduct: Demonstrations, Rallies, and Picketing 11-12

While the University as a private institution is not subject to the Constitutional provisions on free speech and due process of law, the University by its nature is dedicated to the free expression of ideas and to evenhanded and fair dealing with all with whom it conducts its affairs.
View full policy (PDF, 6554 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in October 2011. According to FIRE’s research the substantive policies are current at least until this date. Directory information, including the name of the president of the college or university, may have been updated more recently. If any policy has been revised, or if you believe that we are in error, please contact us.